Identify an individual who uses herbal/nutritional supplement/element therapy from the list above and conduct an interview. Describe the individual’s perception of how the supplement impacts his or her health, including benefits realized and any side effects or adverse reactions.

Herbal and Nutritional Supplements: Where is the Proof ?

Instructions

Review the rubric to make sure you understand the criteria for earning your grade.

For this discussion, address the following prompts. Please write paper as if you are the one being interviewed.
You will conduct an interview with a consumer of an herbal or a nutritional supplemental, or an element such as a vitamin or mineral. You will present the results of the interview and compare what the person told you with scientifically-based research findings for your classmates as part of your initial discussion.

Watch the film by Dr. Bauer, Herbal Supplements, Segment 3 of The Science of Integrative Medicine. You may need to create a Kanopy account, which is a free account.
Peruse and use applicable portions of Part 3: Evaluating Alternative Therapies of the textbook The Biblical Guide to Alternative Medicine, Chapter 18.
Read the article, “Using Dietary Supplements Wisely” at the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) website.
Read the description of the Dietary Supplemental Health and Education Act of 1994.
Explore a topic using the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
or another reputable website
Read the article (Optional), “CR Reports: Tumeric and Echinecea”
View the video (Optional) Self-Medicating: Herbal Supplements
View the video (Optional) Inside the Pill: Startling Facts about Dietary Supplements. Note: You may need to log in with your MyIWU login.

Select one of the following herbs/elements to investigate (select only one):
Nutritional supplements, e.g., high protein drinks to ‘build muscle’
Other nutritional supplements for common conditions such as high lipids, hot flashes, tinea pedis, arthritis, etc.
Vitamins/mega vitamins
Energy drinks
Essential oils/ aromatherapy: e.g., lavender to help sleep
Medicinal marijuana

Identify an individual who uses herbal/nutritional supplement/element therapy from the list above and conduct an interview. In the report, include the following information:
A succinct synopsis of the health need of the individual, the herbal/nutritional supplement element they use, and the person’s rationale for its use. (Protect the interviewee’s identity by not including a name or disclosing how you know them, but include their age and gender).

Describe the individual’s perception of how the supplement impacts his or her health, including benefits realized and any side effects or adverse reactions.
Based on your review of related literature and evidence-based findings (suggestions for resources are above), clearly state what you learned about the following:
Reasons he or she uses the supplement/element, and the resultant health impact
Efficacy of the supplement or element and health benefits vs. what the interviewee’s perceived the benefits were
Safety of the product

Health risks and contraindications
Side effects\interactions with other traditionally prescribed pharmacological agents
Record the interviewee’s responses as a personal communication (See APA Manual, pp. 260-261). NO NEED TO DO INTERVIEW OR RECORD
Write another paragraph in which you share your findings about the significance of the Dietary Supplement Health Education Act (DSHEA).
Explain what DSHEA is and whether you think it is effective in protecting the citizens of the U.S.
Explain how DSHEA affected the availability of the herb\element you discussed in your post.